Fuel processor apparatus for diesel powered vehicles

ABSTRACT

A new fuel processor apparatus for diesel engines, particularly diesel engine powered vehicles, with the apparatus having no moving parts and no internal gaskets or connections to leak or deteriorate, and said apparatus being capable of removing water from the diesel fuel while promoting filterability and combustion efficiency of the fuel. 
     The questions raised in reexamination request No. 90/001,643, filed Nov. 22, 1988, have been considered and the results thereof are reflected in this reissue patent which constitutes the reexamination certificate required by 35 U.S.C. 307 as provided in 37 CFR 1.570(3).

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention broadly relates to a new fuel processing apparatus fordiesel engine powered trucks and automotive vehicles, as well as otherdiesel engine power installations.

The state of the art is indicated by the following cited references(U.S. Pat. Nos.): Dunman #4,091,782; Quinn #4,146,002; Gratzmuller#3,354,872; McMinn #3,396,512; McCabe #3,762,548; Campbell #3,768,730;Richard #3,913,543; Cheysson #3,925,204; Virgil #3,935,901; McQuerry#3,209,816; Rehm #3,962,999; Zabenski #4,015,567; Amano #4,027,639;Linder #4,044,742; Hawkins #4,072,138; and Richards #4,091,265.

In the past when diesel fuel was plentiful and relatively inexpensivethere were significantly fewer problems with the quality of the dieselfuel because of the substantial competition between sellers of the fuel.Refineries, distributors, and retailers of the fuel were careful to keepwater out of the fuel, and they usually did not pump out the heavysettlings from the bottom of the fuel storage tanks. In more recenttimes, with shortages of oil, the fuel suppliers can sell essentiallyall of their available oil with little difficulty. Additionally, fuelsuppliers in the past have blended kerosene and other fuels with lowercloud and pour points to Diesel Fuel to facilitate cold weather flow anduse. Fuel allocations due to government regulations and oil shortageshave now made it almost impossible to continue this practice. The resulthas been a distinct tendency toward lesser quality fuel containingsubstantially more impurities such as water and particulate materialswhich are very disruptive to proper operation of a diesel engine.

.Iadd.No. 2 diesel fuel has a cloud point temperature (temperature atwhich wax crystals form) of 0° to 20° F. and a pour point temperature(freeze temperature) of from 7° to 10° F. below the cloud pointtemperature. The fuel delivery systems of diesel engines used inautomotive applications are designed for optimum operation when the fuelis delivered to the injectors at temperatures within the range of about40° F. to about 90° F., a temperature range encompassing normal ambientoutdoor temperatures encountered in automotive vehicle operationthroughout most of the year throughout most of the United States. Fueltemperatures above and below this range can adversely affect engineoperation.

It has long been recognized that winter operation of diesel engines incold climates will be greatly improved by heating of the diesel fuel todeliver the fuel within the design temperature range to the injectorsand it is also well known that such heating will prevent the formationof wax crystals in the fuel and enhance the separation of water from thediesel fuel if the water is given a chance to settle out to a point inthe system from which it may be periodically drained. However, the priorart has been primarily concerned with heating the diesel fuel duringcold weather operation and has largely ignored the fact that addition ofheat to the fuel is not really necessary at ambient temperatures above40° F. and is undesirable at ambient temperatures above 90°. Variousforms of thermostatically controlled electric heaters have beenproposed-see, for example, Richards et al 4,091,265. However, althoughthese provide accurate temperature control of the electric heater theyhave not been found practical for automotive diesel applications becausetheir electric power requirements for cold weather operation, when addedto the requirement of other electrically operated units of the vehicle,can easily exceed the cold weather capacity of the vehicle's electricalpower supply system. .Iaddend.

Accordingly, a main object of this invention is to provide a new andimproved fuel processor apparatus for diesel trucks and other dieselpowered automotive vehicles to remove water from the diesel fuel, whileat the same time providing for increased fuel economy.

Another object of the invention is to provide a new fuel processorapparatus which includes a unique built-in but removable fuel filterelement (e.g., of either the spin-on or drop-in type).

Another object of the invention is to provide a new fuel processorapparatus which heats the fuel to promote filterability, combustionefficiency, water removal, and to reduce crystallization of fuel waxelements.

Another object of the invention is to provide a new fuel processorapparatus which removes water from the fuel to protect the fuel pump andfuel injection components and protects fuel filter elements to extendthe filter operation life.

Another object of the invention is to provide a new fuel processorapparatus which when installed in the heater water line circuit, permitsautomatic operator control of heat to the fuel processor apparatus, inthat the operator controls the passenger compartment heat and the fuelprocessor heat simultaneously.

Another objective of the invention is to be able to utilize the heatenergy of crankcase or lubricating oil from the engine--either air orwater cooled--to heat the diesel fuel to obtain the benefits of thisinvention.

Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention willbecome apparent from the subsequent description and the appended claimstaken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 of the drawings illustrates a typical installation of the fuelprocessor apparatus of this invention.

FIG. 2 illustrates the embodiment of the invention with a built-in fuelfilter. (Two types--integral or spin-on)

FIG. 3 illustrates a front elevation view of the embodiment of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 illustrates a cross-sectional view taken along the line 4--4 ofFIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a general schematic view illustrating the flow path for thediesel fuel in the embodiment of FIGS. 2-4.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 illustrates a typical installation of the fuel processorapparatus generally designated 10 in accordance with the invention. Theapparatus 10 is preferably constructed in the form of a seamlessextruded aluminum vessel 12 which has a vent or filler plug 14 at thetop and a drain fitting 16 at the bottom of the vessel. Hot coolantliquid (e.g., from the heater return water line circuit or oil fromengine) is introduced to the vessel 12 through an inlet line 18.Iadd.,connected to the return line of the passenger compartmentheater.Iaddend..

The heated coolant liquid is introduced to the interior of the vessel 12via the inlet fitting 20 and flows through the central portion of thevessel in straight-through fashion by means of flow-through conduit 22,from which it passes to the outlet conduit 24 which is connected to thevessel 12 by means of the fitting 26. The hot coolant liquid leaves thevessel 12, passes through the conduit 24 and is returned via a heaterline to the water pump (not shown) of the vehicle. The construction ofthe fuel processor apparatus 12 and and interior conduit 22 ispreferably of aluminum because of its excellent heat transfer qualityand compatibility with the vehicle cooling system. However, otherconstruction materials can of course be used.

.Iadd.By employing the drivers compartment heater return line as theheat source for the processor, the amount of heat added to the fuel bythe processor is adjusted in accordance with the outside ambienttemperature in that the driver will be operating the compartment heaterat its maximum heat output in extreme cold weather conditions andnormally will not run the heater when the outside temperature is above65°-70° F.

Cold wet diesel fuel from the fuel tank of the truck or vehicle isintroduced to the apparatus 10 via the fuel inlet line 28 and the inletfitting 30 from which it passes into the interior of the vessel 12. Thediesel fuel once passing thorugh the internal portion of the vessel 12is heated by counter-action and contact with the hot coolant liquidpassing through the conduit 22. Due to the heat exchange action whichtakes place within the vessel 12 and also due to the significantdifference between the specific heat of fuel oil and the specific heatof water contained therein, the suspended water (as well as any icecrystals suspended in the fuel) are separated out of the fuel and settleto the bottom of vessel 12 in the form of collected water 32 beneath thediesel fuel 33.

The water-free heated fuel then passes out the outlet conduit 34 via thefitting 36, and then the water-free heated fuel is introduced to aprimary fuel filter 38 from which it is transmitted to the dieselengine.

A bracket 40 and U-bolt clamping means 42, 44, can be used to suitablymount the fuel processor apparatus at any sturdy convenient location onthe vehicle.

There now follows a description of the embodiment of the invention shownin FIGS. 2-5, wherein the fuel processor apparatus includes a built-inintegral fuel filter. In the embodiment of FIGS. 2-5 the fuel processorapparatus 100 is constructed in the form of a generally elongatedcylindrical vessel 102 which has an integral filter member 104 at thetop thereof and a drain plug 106 at the bottom thereof. Hot coolantliquid (e.g., from the heater return water line circuit) is introducedto the vessel 102 through an inlet line 108 from which it assumes theflow path through the vessel 102 to pass through the interior of thevessel by means of flow through conduit 109, and subsequently it passesto the water outlet conduit 110.

Cold or unprocessed diesel fuel from the fuel of the truck or vehicle isintroduced to the apparatus 100 via the fuel inlet line 112 from whichit passes into the interior of the vessel 102 by means of the conduit113. The diesel fuel once passing through the internal portion of thevessel 102 is heated by counter-action and contact with the hot coolantliquid passing through the conduit 109. Due to the heat exchange actionwhich takes place within the vessel 102 and also due to the significantdifference between the specific heat of the fuel oil and the specificheat of the water contained therein, the suspended water, (as well asany ice crystals suspended in the fuel) are separated out of the fueland settle to the bottom of the vessel 102 in a fashion similar to theoperation of the FIG. 1 embodiment. The water-free heated fuel thenpasses out of the vessel 102 by means of the conduit or passage way 115which introduces the fuel to the filter element 104, which includes afiltering material designated 117. The filtration material 117 operatesto remove particulate material which resides in the diesel fuel.

The filter element 104 is a spin-on type of filter (or it could be adrop-in type filter) which is integrally connected to the apparatus 100by means of a threaded connection 119. After the fuel has passed throughthe filtration material 117 the fuel exits from the filter via theconduit 121 and the fuel outlet conduit 123.

Additional features which are present in the embodiment designated 100,and particularly as shown in FIG. 2 are that the bottom of the vessel102 may suitably include a transparent or see-through section designated127 so that the collected water can be observed at the bottom of thevessel 102, thus facilitating removal of the water at periodicintervals. In addition, the lower length of the vessel 102 can beextended to make the overall fuel processor apparatus 100 of variablecapacity depending upon the fuel requirements of the engine. A bracketmeans 125 can be used to suitably mount the fuel processor apparatus 100at any sturdy convenient location on the vehicle.

.Iadd.As shown in the drawings, both embodiments disclosed have the fuelinlet (30 FIG. 1; 112, 113 see FIG. 5) located to introduce fuel intothe apparatus approximately at the midpoint of the height of the vessel,a location relatively remote from the bottom region of the vessel, whereseparated water collects, and from the fuel outlet (36 or 115) locatednear the top of the vessel. This midpoint fuel entry avoids remixingincoming fuel with previously separated water while providing sufficientresidence time to enable water to settle out before the fuel passes intothe outlet.

Both embodiments likewise find the internal heating liquid conduit (22,109) extending through the chamber from its top to bottom (conduit 22,FIG. 1) or at least into the bottom region (conduit 109, FIG. 3) wheresettled out water collects. In extreme cold weather conditions, theamount of heat supplied to the fuel by the heating liquid may besufficient to melt or prevent the formation of individual ice crystalsin the fuel, but insufficient to melt a body of ice which might becreated by freezing of settled out water collected at the bottom of thevessel where it contacts the vessel housing which is essentially atoutside ambient temperature. By routing the heating conduit through thebottom region of the vessel where the separated water is collectedfreezing of this collected water is prevented. By locating the filter(FIGS. 2-5) at the top of the unit, rising heat from the lower portionsof the unit assists the heating fuel in keeping the filter from freezingup. .Iaddend.

The fuel processor apparatus of the invention functions in a mannerrelated more closely to a chemical or petro-chemical device rather thana mechanical device. Certain highly advantageous considerations inaccordance with the invention are as follows:

(1) The specific heat of fuel oil is approximately one third that ofwater (2) The specific gravity of fuel oil is approximately 80% of thespecific gravity of water. (3) The coefficient of expansion differentialbetween diesel fuel and water is so significantly different that whenthe fuel is heated, the twin phenomena of specific heat and coefficientof expansion causes water entrapped or suspended in the fuel to quicklyseparate and fall out--where it can be collected and drained away. (4)The surface tension of free water--once it is separated in the device ofthe invention--prevents water in the fuel processor from becomingresuspended in the fuel. (5) Bacterial growth occurs in fuels butessentially only when water is present. Bacteria are a major threat tofuel filters due to their clogging action. Bacteria have demonstratedtheir ability to "wick" themselves up around fuel filters to permittheir propagation on filter elements--thus rapidly clogging filters andcausing engines and vehicle downtime and repair costs. Water in the fuelcan also result in the formation of sulfuric acid which is harmful toengine accessories and operation. The device of the present inventionthrough its action of removing water from the fuel acts to alleviate theproblems of bacteria formation and sulfuric acid formation. (6) The fuelprocessor device of this invention effectively dewaters fuel, removingover 99.7% of all suspended water--including that formed through thedeterioration of the hydrocarbon molecule, and oxidation by the freeoxygen in the atmosphere. (7) Ice crystals form in fuel during coldweather [-32° or lower] when molecules of water are present in fuels.The specific gravity of ice is very near that of fuel and permits ice toflow with the fuel to the filters. When this occurs, ice crystals cancompletely clog or seriously reduce fuel flow to the engine. Thespecific heat value for ice is 0.505 [or approximately 1/2 that ofwater]; ice crystals melt quickly in the fuel processor apparatus ofthis invention. The newly formed liquid water, being much colder thanthe fuel and consequently much heavier, immediately falls to the bottomof the fuel processor where it can be drained away. (8) Prevention ofparaffin formations when ambient temperatures may drop below the cloudpoint of the fuel is accomplished by the fuel processor of theinvention. In particular the greater weight of the molecules ofparrafins and naphthenes are maintained in their liquid state. Byenabling these heavy fuel elements to be used during cold weather, fueleconomy is realized and the costs of adding chemicals or lighter gradefuels to dissolve the paraffin is eliminated. (9) Fuel oil, especiallydiesel fuel, shrinks when cooled. Fuel injectors operate by displacing aspecific volume, therefore the heat potential of diesel fuel on a volumebasis changes according to temperature. The fuel processor of thisinvention aids in improving fuel economy in diesel powered equipment incold weather by restoring the diesel fuel molecule to a temperatureconsistent with factory engine calibrations and settings.

While it will be apparent that the preferred embodiments of theinvention disclosed are well calculated to fulfill the objects abovestated, it will be apparent that the invention will be susceptible tomodification, variation and change without departing from the properscope or fair meaning of the subjoined claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A fuel processor means for use with dieselengines on diesel trucks, automobiles, and the like, and whereby saidfuel processor .Iadd.means .Iaddend.is operative to .[.preheat.]..Iadd.heat .Iaddend.the diesel fuel and to separate out water-impuritiesfrom the diesel fuel, .Iadd.and for melting wax crystals which form incold ambient conditions before the fuel is transmitted to a particulatefilter and enabling the diesel fuel to be used in cold ambientconditions without the use of fuel additives such as chemicals orlighter grade fuels to improve fuel flowability, .Iaddend.comprising;avertically oriented elongated tubular vessel means .Iadd.which providesfor a substantially unconstrained flow path of the diesel fueltherethrough .Iaddend.for separating .Iadd.the.Iaddend.water-.Iadd.impurities .Iaddend.out of the fuel, .Iadd.andcollecting the water-impurities at the bottom of said vessel means,.Iaddend. inlet conduit means near the top of said vessel .Iadd.means.Iaddend.to introduce hot engine coolant liquid to .[.the .]. .Iadd.said.Iaddend.vessel, .Iadd.means, .Iaddend. another conduit means passingthrough a central portion of said vessel .Iadd.means and into saidbottom of said vessel means .Iaddend.for transmitting the hot coolantliquid therethrough, outlet conduit means for recirculating the.Iadd.hot .Iaddend.coolant liquid back through the engine coolingsystem, a second inlet conduit means for introducing .Iadd.the.Iaddend.fuel .Iadd.into .Iaddend..[.to.]. the interior of .[.the.]..Iadd.said .Iaddend.vessel .Iadd.means .Iaddend.near the .Iadd.vertical.Iaddend.midpoint thereof for flow therethrough .Iadd.whereby saidseparation of the water-impurities provided by said fuel processor meansbegins to occur after the fuel enters from said second inlet conduitmeans into said vessel means, .Iaddend..[.and such that this inlet isabove the level of water-impurities being collected in the vessel,.]. asecond outlet conduit means for the fuel located near the top of.[.the.]. .Iadd.said .Iaddend.vessel .Iadd.means .Iaddend.fortransmitting the water-free fuel to .Iadd.the particulate filter and.Iaddend.the engine .Iadd.whereby said second inlet conduit means andsaid second outlet conduit means cause the fuel to flow through saidvessel means in a manner which facilitates the separation of thewater-impurities and minimizes remixing of the water-impurities beingcollected.Iaddend., drain means at .[.the.]. .Iadd.said .Iaddend.bottomof .[.the.]. .Iadd.said .Iaddend.vessel .Iadd.means .Iaddend.fordraining out .Iadd.the .Iaddend.water-impurities which collect therein.Iadd.to prevent the level of water impurities collected at the bottomof said vessel means from rising to the level of said second inletconduit means.Iaddend., and means near the top of .[.the.]. .Iadd.said.Iaddend.vessel .Iadd.means .Iaddend.for venting .[.the.]. .Iadd.said.Iaddend.vessel .Iadd.means .Iaddend.when desired.
 2. The invention ofclaim 1 wherein,said .[.apparatus.]. .Iadd.vessel means.Iaddend.includes .Iadd.a top plate and .Iaddend..[.an integral.]..Iadd.said particulate .Iaddend.filter .[.means built-in with the vesseland.]. .Iadd.having a cup shaped canister enclosing a filter mediaelement with an opened end defining inlet and outlet flow ports mountedto said top plate such that said filter is disposed above said top platewith said opened end directed downwardly, said filter .Iaddend.operativeto perform a filtering operation on the fuel during its passage throughthe .[.apparatus.]. .Iadd.vessel means.
 3. A fuel processor means foruse with diesel engines on diesel trucks, automobiles, and the like, andwhereby said fuel processor means is operative to .[.preheat.]..Iadd.heat .Iaddend.the diesel fuel and to separate out water-impuritiesfrom the diesel fuel .Iadd.and for melting wax crystals which form incold ambient conditions before the fuel is transmitted to a particulatefilter and enabling the diesel fuel to be used in cold ambientconditions without the use of fuel additives such as chemicals orlighter grade fuels to improve fuel flowability.Iaddend., comprising;avertically oriented tubular vessel of generally seamless constructionmeans .Iadd.which provides for a substantially unconstrained flow pathof the diesel fuel therethrough .Iaddend.operative for separating.Iadd.the .Iaddend.water-.Iadd.impurities .Iaddend.out of the fuel.Iadd.and collecting the water-impurities at the bottom of saidvessel.Iaddend., inlet conduit means near the top of said vessel tointroduce hot engine coolant liquid, another conduit means passingthrough a central portion of said vessel .Iadd.and into said bottom ofsaid vessel .Iaddend.for transmitting the hot coolant liquidtherethrough, outlet conduit means near the bottom of said vessel forrecirculating the coolant liquid back through the engine cooling system,a second inlet conduit means for introducing .Iadd.the .Iaddend.fuel.Iadd.into.Iaddend..[.to.]. the interior of .[.the.]. .Iadd.said.Iaddend.vessel near the .Iadd.vertical .Iaddend.midpoint thereof forflow therethrough .Iadd.whereby said separation of the water-impuritiesprovided by said fuel processor means begins to occur after the fuelenters from said second inlet conduit means into saidvessel,.Iaddend..[.and such that this inlet is above the level ofwater-impurities being collected in the vessel,.]. a second outletconduit means for the fuel near the top of .[.the.]. .Iadd.said.Iaddend.vessel for transmitting the water-free fuel to .Iadd.theparticulate filter and .Iaddend.the engine .Iadd.whereby said secondinlet conduit means and said second outlet conduit means cause the fuelto flow through said vessel in a manner which facilitates the separationof the water-impurities and minimizes remixing of the water-impuritiesbeing collected.Iaddend., and drain means at .[.the.]. .Iadd.said.Iaddend.bottom of .[.the.]. .Iadd.said .Iaddend.vessel for draining out.Iadd.the .Iaddend.water-impurities which collect.[.therein..]..Iadd.therein to prevent the level of water impuritiescollected at the bottom of said vessel from rising to the level of saidsecond inlet conduit means. .Iaddend.
 4. The invention of claim 3,wherein,said .[.apparatus.]. .Iadd.vessel .Iaddend.is free of movingparts and has no internal gaskets to leak or deteriorate.
 5. Theinvention of claim 3 further characterized as including:means near thetop of .[.the.]. .Iadd.said .Iaddend.vessel for venting .[.the.]..Iadd.said .Iaddend.vessel when desired.
 6. A fuel processor means foruse with diesel engines on diesel trucks, automobiles, and the like, andwhereby said fuel processor means is operative to .[.preheat.]..Iadd.heat .Iaddend.the diesel fuel and to separate out water-impuritiesfrom the diesel fuel .Iadd.and for melting wax crystals which form incold ambient conditions before the fuel is transmitted to a particulatefilter and enabling the diesel fuel to be used in cold ambientconditions without the use of fuel additives such as chemicals orlighter grade fuels to improve fuel flowability, .Iaddend.comprising,avertically oriented tubular vessel of generally seamless constructionmeans .Iadd.which provides for a substantially unconstrained flow pathof the diesel fuel therethrough .Iaddend.operative for separating.Iadd.the .Iaddend.water-.Iadd.impurities .Iaddend.out of the fuel.Iadd.and collecting the water-impurities at the bottom of saidvessel.Iaddend. inlet conduit means to introduce hot liquid from theengine, another conduit means passing through a central portion of saidvessel .Iadd.and into said bottom of said vessel .Iaddend.fortransmitting the hot liquid therethrough, outlet conduit means forrecirculating the hot liquid back through the engine system, a secondinlet conduit means for introducing .Iadd.the .Iaddend.fuel .Iadd.into.Iaddend..[.to.]. the interior of .[.the.]. .Iadd.said .Iaddend.vesselnear the .Iadd.vertical .Iaddend.midpoint thereof for flow therethrough.Iadd.whereby said separation of the water-impurities provided by saidfuel processor means begins to occur after the fuel enters from saidsecond inlet conduit means into said vessel, .Iaddend..[.and such thatthis inlet is above the level of water-impurities being collected in thevessel,.]. a second outlet conduit means for the fuel near the top of.[.the.]. .Iadd.said .Iaddend.vessel for transmitting the water-freefuel to .Iadd.the particulate filter and .Iaddend.the engine.Iadd.whereby said second inlet conduit means and said second outletconduit means cause the fuel to flow through said vessel in a mannerwhich facilitates the separation of the water-impurities and minimizesremixing of the water-impurities being collected, .Iaddend. drain meansat .[.the.]. .Iadd.said .Iaddend.bottom of .[.the.]. .Iadd.said.Iaddend.vessel for draining out .Iadd.the .Iaddend.water-impuritieswhich collect therein .Iadd.to prevent the level of water impuritiescollected at the bottom of said vessel from rising to the level of saidsecond inlet conduit means.Iaddend., and vent means near the top of.[.the.]. .Iadd.said .Iaddend.vessel for venting .[.the.]. .Iadd.said.Iaddend.vessel when desired.
 7. The .[.apparatus.]. of claim 1wherein,said .[.apparatus.]. is free of moving parts and has no internalgaskets to leak or deteriorate.
 8. A fuel processor means with anintegral filter element for use with diesel engines on diesel trucks,automobiles, and the like, and whereby said fuel processor means isoperative to .[.preheat.]. .Iadd.heat .Iaddend.the diesel fuel and toseparate out water-impurities from the diesel fuel, .Iadd.and meltingwax crystals and then filter the diesel fuel, enabling the diesel fuelto be used in cold ambient conditions without the use of fuel additivessuch as chemicals or lighter grade fuel to improve fuel flowability.Iaddend.comprising,a vertically oriented elongated tubular vessel meansfor separating .Iadd.the .Iaddend.water-.Iadd.impurities .Iaddend.out ofthe fuel .Iadd.and collecting the water-impurities at the bottom of saidvessel means, said vessel means defining a top plate.Iaddend., a filterelement .Iadd.having a cup shaped canister enclosing a filter mediaelement with an opened end defining fuel flow ports .Iaddend.engaged to.[.the.]. .Iadd.said .Iaddend.top .Iadd.plate .Iaddend.of said vesselmeans .Iadd.such that said filter is disposed above said top plate withsaid opened end directed downwardly .Iaddend..[.and being of integralconstruction therewith.]., inlet conduit means to introduce hot enginecoolant liquid to .[.the.]. .Iadd.said .Iaddend.vessel.Iadd.means.Iaddend., another conduit means passing through a centralportion of said vessel .Iadd.means and into the bottom of said vesselmeans .Iaddend.for transmitting the hot coolant liquid therethrough,outlet conduit means for recirculating the coolant liquid back throughthe engine cooling system, a second inlet conduit means for introducingfuel to the interior of .[.the.]. .Iadd.said .Iaddend.vessel .Iadd.means.Iaddend.near the .Iadd.vertical .Iaddend.midpoint thereof for flowtherethrough, another interior conduit means .Iadd.passing through saidtop plate .Iaddend.for transmitting the water-free fuel upwardly forpassage through .[.the.]. .Iadd.said .Iaddend.filter element .Iadd.forfiltration.Iaddend., a second outlet conduit .Iadd.means passing throughsaid top plate.Iaddend..[.means.]. for removing the fuel from .[.the.]..Iadd.said .Iaddend.filter element and transmitting the fuel to theengine .Iadd.whereby said second inlet conduit means and said secondoutlet conduit means cause the fuel to flow through said vessel means ina manner which facilitates the separation of the water-impurities andminimizes remixing of the water-impurities being collected.Iaddend., anddrain means at .[.the.]. .Iadd.said .Iaddend.bottom of .[.the.]..Iadd.said .Iaddend.vessel .Iadd.means .Iaddend.for draining out.Iadd.the .Iaddend.water-impurities which collect therein .Iadd.toprevent the level of water impurities collected at the bottom of saidvessel means from rising to the level of said second inlet conduitmeans.Iaddend.. .Iadd.9. The invention defined in claim 1 or claim 8wherein said engine cooling system includes a compartment heateroperable to heat the drivers compartment of the truck or automobile bythe passage of the hot engine coolant liquid therethrough attemperatures regulated by the driver, said inlet conduit means beingconnected in said cooling system in series with said compartment heaterto receive liquid coolant from said compartment heater. .Iaddend.